What does Motherhood Mean?

Motherhood means…well, many things. It cannot be defined in one sentence. Every mother could share what it means to her; and, it’d be unique.

To me, motherhood means selflessness. It means those 3am wake-up calls to rock your sweet baby back to sleep. It means sucking up your fear to run after your kiddo who just ran up a steep hill that leads to who knows where. It means being an example (even when you mess up) so your children learn how to be an amazingly imperfect human being. It’s showing unconditional love and providing a solid foundation to train up your child in the ways s/he should go. It’s providing a home they want to return to when they are all grown up and have kids of their own. It’s being the best mom for your kids without comparison. It’s knowing that your best is enough. It’s being present in the moments that matter so much. It’s admitting your faults and asking for forgiveness. It’s taking care of yourself; so, you can take care of others.

I posted the question, “What does motherhood mean to you?” across my social media to see how unique each mama’s response to the question was. I wanted to see the commonalities; and, I wanted to see the differences. Reading through the responses, I was able to gather YES moments and fresh takes on motherhood.

21 moms share what motherhood means to them (22 counting mine above):

Ashley from My Dear Hart says, “Motherhood to me means love, courage, fear and strength and the ability to feel all of them at the same time to the strongest degree.”

Lauren from Bellows in the Berkshires shares, “Motherhood to me means giving someone your all, someone who doesn’t even realize it, loving them with your whole heart, while knowing every second it could disappear any second.”

Lori from The Novel Endeavor says, “To me, motherhood means raising littles to become adults that will extend grace and love others. Often that means swallowing my pride, apologizing, and giving up what I feel I deserve.”

Tiffany from Stellar Mama shares, “Motherhood is the greatest and most eye opening experience of my life. It makes me a better person; because, I want to be a role model for my daughter and show her how to love and be loved. I also get to see the world through her eyes and experience it with her.”

Rhiannon from Whatsoever is Lovely Living says, “Motherhood to me means loving someone more than myself. Giving up time, sleep, energy, food, anything to make sure they have more than enough. It means being a protector, being a shoulder, being a compass. It means stepping beyond myself and going the distance for another life that I pray does even greater than I ever could.”

Lindsay from Search for the Simple shares, “Motherhood means growth to me. I am helping my children to grow into adults who are kind, humble, and who love sacrificially. At the same time, God is using motherhood as a catalyst of growth in my life as motherhood molds and shapes me.”

Diane from Happy Wife and Mother says, “Motherhood is a privilege to have a child I name and to increase my love for then to raise this little eternal soul and lead them to the throne of God. To know they are His in the first place loaned to me to love and cherish and give back to Him!”

Rebekah from Surviving Toddlerhood shares, “Motherhood is raising a child to let them go. Motherhood is teaching- I teach my littles and God uses them to teach me. Motherhood is tiring but invigorating. Motherhood is hard and at the same time easy.”

Melissa from Melissa in the Making shares, “Motherhood means being all in. you can’t half-do being a mom. It’s exhausting to be all in all the time, but I believe it’s exactly the way Jesus intended motherhood and our faith to be: a relentless dependence on Him to be the best moms, wives, and people we can be.”

Ruthie from Rear.Release.Regroup says,”It means I’m responsible for my actions to four more people. The most important people in the world to me!”

Rebeca from Blend My Love shares, “In this new season, for me, motherhood means to train her in the way she should go and extend grace. She is eight and is developing into a little person. It is surreal to think my baby girl is not a baby anymore. Although sh will always be mama’s baby.”

Heidi from The Carter’s Corner says motherhood is, “having 5 little people that I get to show how to live and love. To see the beauty in life and to explore because you never know what you’ll find. Also, I learn from them; because, in their innocence is so much knowledge.”

The Perpetual You (a free online women’s magazine that believes you should Be You always) shares, “Motherhood means a new change to experience life every single day. Kids don’t hold on to grudges and aren’t planning their futures; they just exist. Motherhood brings the opportunity to live in the moment and revel in that mindset!”

Amy from The Gilded Wife says, “Motherhood means selflessness, self-empowering, exhausting, joyous, the greatest job in the whole world and the most supportive group of women ever!”

Amanda from Barefoot Becca shares, “Motherhood means putting someone other than yourself first, day in and day out and continuing to do it because that how much you love them! It’s heartbreak, exhaustion, fear. But, also the happiest part of your life and by far the most rewarding.”

Jess from Healthy Focus Mom says, “To me, motherhood means living every moment with them, sometimes in frustration and exhaustion, but most times in a state of awe of their individuality and the amazing people they are becoming.

Becca from My Peace in Chaos shares, “I really don’t know how to put it into words! I’ve wanted to be a mom my whole life. And now that I am, it’s exceeded every expectation I’ve ever had! I could never imagine how wonderful and hard it would be. Little pieces of my hear are walking around outside my body. It’s the best feeling ever!”

Ally from You Are More says, “Motherhood means love. Motherhood means sacrifice. Motherhood means grace. Motherhood means lots of second chances. Motherhood means beauty in ways you have never ever seen beauty before. And it teaches you more about life than you’ve ever learned before.”

Nicole from Live. Love. Drink Wine. shares what motherhood means: “Changing your life, without hesitation or regret. Living for someone else and loving them unconditionally. Being scared every day that you maybe missed a moment, should have responded better to a problem, or didn’t love enough :). Smiling and feeling warmer and wholer than you ever have, or will, when you and your little one share a beautiful moment together; smile, dance, and say ‘I love you’s’.”

Abigail from Acreage of Grace says, “Being a mama to my two babies is more than a title or a job for me, it is my ministry. I truly believe raising these children is the reason God put me on this earth and I try so hard every day to honor Him in my ministry. I fall short over and over, but that is where grace comes in.”

We all may have different backgrounds and definitions of motherhood; but we are all mamas that can come together and support one another. We can mother together when we are feeling isolated and defeated. We can mother together when we want to celebrate the small wins. We can mother together when we need to laugh. We are moms and that is awesome. You are an awesome mom.

Comments

Absolutely loved all of these beautiful, heartfelt responses. Sharing all over and thank you for this. It really made me stop and define what motherhood is to me and when I put it in words I realized how it has transformed my life in many wonderful ways. This was perfect Ludavia!

Oh Rhiannon! It is so transforming. I have never really stopped and asked myself this question either. It made me realize that, though it’s a difficult role, it has changed my life into something so fulfilling. It has expanded my heart in ways I never thought it would. It has made me braver and stronger and a protector. It has made me a better person.